Auction of Washington Wines: 30th Annual Event

(L to R: Glass of wine on Red Mountain; Winemaker Picnic & Barrel Auction on the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle; The Gala featuring local chefs and unique wine lots in live and silent auctions; Photos by Richard Duval Images)

WHAT: Washington State’s only charitable wine event that has been around for 30 years, ranking in the 2016 list of Top 5 US Charity Wine Auctions. Focused on elevating the awareness of Washington State wines through a series of events in June and August.

WHEN: Select dates in August 2017

WHERE: Various locations throughout Washington State

DETAILS: Auction of Washington Wines announces its annual summer of events. Known as the region’s most prestigious charity wine event, Auction of Washington Wines will feature events in different locations throughout the state, enticing guests to indulge in Washington’s premier wines. Auction of Washington Wines is chaired by Norm McKibben and Jean-Francois Pellet of Pepper Bridge Winery and Yahn Bernier and Beth McCaw of Valve Software and Washington Women’s Foundation. Funds raised at the events go towards uncompensated care, cancer clinical trials and autism at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Viticulture and Enology Research at Washington State University (WSU).

Event information, including location and ticket prices, are listed below.

Winemaker Picnic, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville – Thursday, August 17, 2017
Held on the lawn of the beautiful Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, the annual Winemaker Picnic will provide the opportunity to meet more than 100 Washington winemakers as they pour tastings of their select wines. Guests will enjoy bidding on some of Washington’s most coveted limited-release wines during the auction while indulging in gourmet picnic fare presented by the talented team from Tulalip Resort Casino.

Tickets are $150 per person, $125 for early access until June 1.

Winemaker Dinner Series, Private Estates around the Puget Sound – Friday, August 18, 2017
Presented by Brighton Jones, these one-of-a-kind, intimate dinners will be held at private estates around the Puget Sound. These intimate, carefully crafted dinners feature renowned Washington winemakers whose wines are paired exquisitely with a gourmet meal created by the region’s most well-known chefs.

Tickets are $500 per person. Weekend hotel packages are also available.

The Gala, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville – Saturday, August 19, 2017
The 30th Anniversary Winemaker Gala will be held on the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. Guests will enjoy a multi-course meal prepared by some of the area’s finest chefs. Each table will be hosted by a Washington winemaker who will pair and pour wines from their collection. The evening will feature live and silent auctions. Seating is limited and this event has sold out for the past several years.

Tickets are $500 per person. Weekend hotel packages are also available.

About the Auction of Washington Wines

Since its inception in 1988, the Auction of Washington Wines has raised more than $37 million. The distinguished fundraising events give wine lovers the chance to support the Washington wine industry and families in the communities around the region. The 2017 events will take place August 17-19, 2017. Co-chairs for 2017 are Norm McKibben and Jean-Francois Pellet of Pepper Bridge Winery, Yahn Bernier of Valve Software and Beth McCaw of Washington Women’s Foundation. Major sponsors include Chateau Ste. Michelle, Ferrari of Seattle, Bank of America, John L. Scott Foundation, The Seattle Times, King 5 TV, Tulalip Resort Casino, and Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card.

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About Seattle Children’s Hospital

Consistently ranked as one of the best children’s hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s serves as the pediatric and adolescent academic medical referral center for the largest landmass of any children’s hospital in the country (Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho). For more than 100 years, Children’s has been delivering superior patient care and advancing new treatments through pediatric research. Children’s serves as the primary teaching, clinical and research site for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. The hospital works in partnership with Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation. Together they are Seattle Children’s, known for setting new standards in superior patient care for more than 100 years. www.seattlechildrens.org.

About Washington State University’s Viticulture & Enology Program

The Washington State University Viticulture and Enology Program aims to strengthen the quality and reputation of the Washington wine industry. Proceeds from the Auction of Washington Wines fund research within the program.

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About Me

I live my life around what is in my wine glass, the food on my plate, where I am, and my friends around me. It’s not wine snobbery. It’s what wine pairs with a hot dog or a five course dinner…Read More